The efforts of officials and the healthcare sector in handling last year's SARS outbreak have been hailed by the Co-chairpersons of the SARS Expert Committee.

Responding today to the Legislative Council Select Committee report into the handling of the outbreak by the Government and the Hospital Authority, Sir Cyril Chantler and Professor Sian Griffiths said the epidemic was overall "handled well" in Hong Kong.

A complex and difficult situation

The Co-chairs reiterated that SARS was a new and unknown disease, and that as experts they understood and appreciated the complexity and difficulty involved for those in fighting it.

"Although we have identified shortcomings of system performance during the early phase of the outbreak, we were of the view that many of the actions and decisions taken at the time were commensurate with the knowledge and evidence available at that time," their statement said.

"We were impressed that many of the problems were rapidly put right by key health officials, while others were compensated for by the extraordinary hard work of people at all levels of the system and in very difficult circumstances. It was due to such efforts that SARS was eventually brought under control in Hong Kong."

Healthcare sector rose to the challenge

The Co-chairs commended all in Hong Kong's healthcare sector who were involved in fighting the unknown disease, saying they rose to the challenge in a remarkable way.

"The passing of time has not lessened our respect for them and we remain impressed by the extraordinary service, hard work, attention to duty and acceptance of responsibility shown by numerous people during the outbreak. We have been particularly moved by the selfless dedication, professionalism and sacrifice of the healthcare workers," their statement added.

Impressed with progress

The Co-chairs said they are pleased with the "remarkable progress" Hong Kong has made in preparing for any possible SARS resurgence, noting the launch of the Centre for Health Protection as recommended by the Expert Committee, and the active links established with Guangdong's health authorities.

They are also impressed by the e-SARS system developed during the outbreak and the plans for further development in this area, and encouraged by progress made on improving isolation facilities and other infection control measures, such as training.

"The progress of the large amount of work that has been carried out to enhance the health system in Hong Kong is impressive. We are in no doubt that Hong Kong is better prepared to combat any epidemic than it was one year ago."